Dash - GoPro Dashcam Controller

Use your existing GoPro as a Dashcam!

Automatically turn on the GoPro camera and start recording when power is applied to Dash. If Dash is attached to your vehicle's accessory jack, when you start/stop your engine, Dash can automatically turn on/off the GoPro camera.

'Dash' from CamDo converts your GoPro to a dashcam. Check out the CamDo Dashcam pack which provides you with everything to get started.

Capture exciting footage from your motorbike, race car, plane or helicopter or simply capture a family road trip or bike ride. Plus have the peace of mind if something goes wrong, you will have a record.

The miniUSB trigger input on Dash will work on any 5V power source so it can run using your vehicle's USB accessory jack, or an alternate custom trigger system of your own design. Dash uses a power regulator so the same 5V trigger signal can be used to provide power to the GoPro camera. Note: Dash is only designed for a 5V power input. Attempting to connect to a voltage greater than 5V may result in damage to Dash and/or the GoPro camera.

Dash can use any of the GoPro camera's video modes and can be configured to 8 different operating modes for flexibility. When power is applied to the trigger input, Dash can either start recording immediately, or just turn the camera on which can be useful if only using the GoPro's miniHDMI output or running scripts saved to the SD card. When power is removed, Dash can either end the recording immediately and turn off the camera, continue recording for 1 or 10 minutes before ending the recording and turning off the camera, or ignore the removal of the trigger signal and continue to stay powered on.

settingsEasy & flexible setup

Intuitive - just plug in and get started

Starts automatically, stops automatically

8 different modes for flexibility(see Support Tab)

camera_enhanceImage Quality

GoPro 4K Image quality

Adjustable standard and wide angle capture

Compatible with all GoPro video modes including - record video, looping video, video & photo or video time lapse.

extensionFlexible mounting

Dash will fit inside the extended backdoors included in the GoPro Backdoor Kit that are designed to fit GoPro BacPac accessories. We recommend using the frame mount inside a vehicle.

Camera

Compatibility ( Y / N )

HERO5

✘

HERO5 Session

✘

HERO4 Black

✔

HERO4 Silver

✔

HERO4 Session

✘

HERO (2014)

✘

HERO3+ Black

✔

HERO3+ Silver

✘

HERO3 Black

✘

HERO3 Silver

✘

HERO3 White

✘

HERO2

✘

HERO

✘

Compatible with 5V USB Devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which GoPro cameras is Dash compatible with?

Please see the Compatibility tab.

My race car vibrates a lot. How do I keep secure the USB cable in Dash or the camera?

We recommend placing a loop in the USB cable and a cable tie to provide a level of security and to reduce the vibration. We also recommend mounting to the windshield where practicable which has less vibration than the dashboard.

How do I know what mode I am in?

When you plug Dash in, the LED on the back will flash the same number of times as the set mode. Eg if you are in mode 3, the LED will flash 3 times. If you are in mode 1, the LED will flash once.

Does powering Dash charge the GoPro battery?

No. While the GoPro camera can be powered through Dash, Dash does not charge the GoPro battery which makes the camera more reliable when recording for long periods by removing the heat generated by the GoPro battery charging circuit.

Do I need the internal camera battery?

Yes, the internal battery must be present to allow time for the GoPro to save the file and ensure your file is not corrupted due to the sudden loss of power. To keep your GoPro charged, we recommend also plugging power into the side of the camera via the mini USB port. The USB charger CamDo offers has 2 x USB output ports so that you can charge the camera at the same time.

Does Dash support scripting?

Yes! Using modes 5, 6, 7, or 8, the camera will only turn on, it will not automatically start recording. You are then in complete control using scripts. CamDo offers custom firmware to enable scripting on the HERO4 camera - check it out here.

How does Looping Video work with the GoPro camera?

The video looping feature of the GoPro cameras allows you to shoot 5 minutes to 2 hours of video in a continuous loop. When the programmed time is up, the camera will erase the first segment of the video and begin recording a new segment. We recommend using the 2hr setting as GoPro chaptering on the MAX setting is not ideal (see below). The video is saved in segments which can be combined using GoPro’s Cineform Studio. Segment length depends on the total time selected.

Dash Modes

To enter programming mode, insert the wired remote into the “Config/Highlight” port and hold the button down while plugging Dash into the camera. The LED will periodically flash to indicate what mode it is currently set to. Each button press on the wired remote will to cycle to the next operating mode. Unplug Dash or remove all power to exit programming mode.

Mode

Camera Action / Operation

USB power received

USB power removed

1

Turn on and start recording

Stop recording and turn off

2

Turn on and start recording

Continue recording for 1 minute, then stop recording and turn off

3

Turn on and start recording

Continue recording for 10 minutes, then stop recording and turn off

4

Turn on and start recording

Do Nothing

5

Turn on

Stop recording (if recording), and Turn off

6

Turn on

Wait 1 minute (note camera may not be recording in this mode eg if using scripts), then stop recording (if recording) and turn off

7

Turn on

Wait 10 minutes (note camera may not be recording in this mode eg if using scripts), then stop recording (if recording) and turn off

Blink Time Lapse Controller for GoPro HERO4 and HERO3+ Black Cameras

Blink is CamDo’s GoPro time lapse and motion detection controller for HERO3+ Black and HERO4 cameras. It is a low power, WiFi enabled GoPro accessory that unlocks the full potential of the GoPro camera. For the HERO5, see our latest BlinkX controller.

Use Blink to achieve long term time lapse or motion detection for your next project. Just plug it into your GoPro and use the Blink app to connect and configure up to 10 separate time lapse schedules using a smartphone, tablet, computer, or any WiFi enabled device which has a web browser (no cell service or internet connection required). For more information, see the Quick Start Guide and User Manual. Also check out our tutorial videos for a quick overview of the user interface.

A WiFi network with internet access is only required if you would like to use our optional Blink Email status feature to provide daily status updates.

If you are looking at a long term time lapse you may be interested in our general time lapse and construction time lapse packs which incorporate an external solar system for long term deployment or where finding a power supply is difficult or expensive.

buildQuick & Easy Set-Up

Get Blink up and running in less than 2 minutes. Read the quick start guide here.

While typically used with our Outdoor Enclosures to also house extra battery packs, Blink will also fit inside the extended backdoors included in the GoPro Back Door Kit that are designed to fit GoPro BacPac accessories.

settings_applicationsSimple Configuration for Complete Control

Intuitive web interface makes scheduling Blink a breeze.

Customize a daily or weekly schedule to program up to 10 separate schedules for either time lapse or motion detection in photo, day, night, burst or video modes.

powerLow Power Consumption

Blink powers your GoPro camera down between intervals, increasing the battery life significantly and giving you the ability to undertake long term time lapse sequences.

Blink can be powered from the GoPro battery and does not require a separate power source.

emailEmail Home with Blink Email One Month Free

Blink can e-mail you every day to confirm it is still operating - how many shots were taken since the last e-mail, what is the battery status, what is the SD card status, how many motion detector events activated - everything to give you peace of mind your system is working. Read more here.

photo_cameraNo Camera Firmware Update Required

Unlike our previous products (Programmable Scheduler, Time Lapse Intervalometer, and previous Motion Detector products), Blink doesn’t require a complicated camera firmware update process. Just ensure your HERO3+ or HERO4 camera is up to date with the latest firmware from the GoPro website or through the GoPro App for iOS and Android.

settings_remoteMotion Detection

Motion detection schedules can be programmed to only be active only during certain times of day to avoid capturing unneeded footage and conserve power.

date_rangeLong term time lapse

Couple Blink with our SolarX or DryX enclosures for long term time lapse solutions. Also, check out our Time Lapse Solutions page for more information on all the parts you need for those longer term projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

If multiple schedules have been set and there is a conflict between them, priority is given to the lower numbered schedule. For example, schedule 1 has priority over schedule 2.

Does Blink fit inside the standard GoPro housings?

Yes, if housing external batteries is not an issue, Blink can be used with the GoPro Frame Mount or the extended backdoors included in the GoPro Back Door Kit that are designed to clip into the standard housing to provide space to fit GoPro BacPac accessories.

What housings does CamDo offer that have space for Blink and external battery packs?

Blink is typically used with our Outdoor Enclosures to also house extra batteries and come with two power options, a 9Watt solar panel, or without a solar panel that is normally used for shorter deployments, when you can return regularly to recharge the batteries. The Outdoor Enclosures have space to fit up to two of our V44 (44watt-hour) battery packs.

If you require a waterproof solution, our aluminum Deep underwater housing allows for use of Blink and the GoPro to a depth of 2000ft, while the DeepEXT housing extension can fit up to three V15 (15watt-hour) battery packs.

How long will the battery last if I shoot some number of photos per hour?

Calculating battery life is non-trivial. It depends on the camera model, firmware version, SD card speed, lighting conditions, battery size, age of the battery, ambient temperature, and more. To help you understand the issues and to calculate estimated battery life, consult the Camera Power Consumption Study and our Time Lapse Calculator.

If I know approximately how long my project is, how do I determine the ideal interval between triggers?

The ideal shooting interval is normally determined by the length of the final time lapse video clip, capacity of the SD card or battery capacity available. Our Time Lapse Calculator can be used to help determine the ideal interval between photos as determined by these variables.

Why is "Always On" mode for batteries important?

Since Blink turns the camera off between triggers to conserve power, Always On mode is important to prevent the battery from automatically turning off due to periods of inactivity. Most of the USB battery packs on the market have an automatic power saving feature which turns off the battery if the battery is not constantly supplying power to a device. If the GoPro is turned off for more than a few minutes between triggers, the external battery might automatically shutdown due to inactivity. However, our V15 and V44 have two modes of operation, the standard Auto Off mode and an Always On mode. The Always On mode prevents the battery from automatically turning off when insufficient current is being drawn due to the camera being turned off by Blink to conserve power.

Does Blink retain the shooting schedule when power is removed or lost?

When all power is removed, Blink will retain the programmed shooting schedule. However, Blink does not have an internal battery to retain the time and date settings. When power is restored to Blink, it will determine the clock time and date information from the GoPro camera.

Can I switch the SD card in the middle of a time lapse schedule?

Yes, the SD card is "hot swappable". If an interval occurs when the SD card is out of the GoPro, Blink will continue the shooting schedule by triggering the camera to turn on and off, however, no image will be taken since there is no SD card to save the image to.

How do I change Blink's shooting schedule in the middle of a project?

Blink's WiFi can be turned on or off by using the supplied push button remote plugged into the board's 2.5mm input. Blink's WiFi only remains active for 15 minutes to program the new settings before the WiFi is automatically turned off to conserve power. If the camera is not easily accessable, we offer 2.5mm Extension cables that can be left attached to Blink's 2.5mm port for re-triggering the WiFi signal.

Can I schedule a time lapse with an interval less than 60seconds between images?

Blink's Port1 is used to activate the Blink's WiFi signal and is typically used with the included wired remote. Blink's Port2 is used for Motion Detection operation and information about this port is located in our Blink User Manual.

Please connect only CamDo-approved accessories to these jacks unless you are experienced. Do not connect other equipment, especially voltage sources such as your solar panel or battery, to these jacks. Doing so could damage your BlinkX or camera. Please read our series of blog posts to understand how to connect custom hardware or interface a microcontroller such as an Arduino or Raspberry Pi.

Does Blink work with your Battery Eliminators?

Blink is not compatible with our Battery Eliminators.

What does Blink weigh?

Blink weighs 19g. This compares to a GoPro camera at 87g plus the GoPro extended enclosure at 71g.

If you liked Blink for HERO4, you'll love BlinkX for HERO5 with powerful improvements including lower power consumption, advanced date scheduling and more!

Use BlinkX to achieve long term time lapse and/or motion detection for your next project. Just plug it into your GoPro and use the BlinkX app to connect and configure up to 10 separate schedules (including email scheduling) using a smartphone, tablet, computer, or any WiFi enabled device which has a web browser (no cell service or internet connection required). For more information, see the Quick Start Guide and User Manual.

A WiFi network with internet access is only required if you would like to use our optional Blink Email feature to provide daily status updates straight to your inbox.

If you are looking at a long term time lapse you may be interested in our BlinkX time lapse packs which incorporate weatherproof enclosures external solar power for long term deployment or where finding a power supply is difficult or expensive.

buildQuick & Easy Set-Up

Get BlinkX up and running in less than 2 minutes. Read the quick start guide here.

settings_applicationsSimple Configuration for Complete Control

Customize a daily or weekly schedule to program up to 10 separate schedules for either time lapse or motion detection in photo, day, night, burst or video modes.

powerLow Power Consumption

BlinkX powers your GoPro camera down between intervals, increasing the battery life significantly and giving you the ability to undertake long term time lapse sequences.

emailEmail Home with Blink Email One Month Free

BlinkX can e-mail you every day to confirm it is still operating - how many shots were taken since the last e-mail, what is the battery status, what is the SD card status, how many motion detector events activated - everything to give you peace of mind your system is working. Read more here.

photo_cameraNo Camera Firmware Update Required

BlinkX doesn’t require any special camera firmware update. Just ensure your HERO5 Black or HERO5 Session camera is up to date with the latest firmware from the GoPro website or through the GoPro App for iOS and Android.

settings_remoteMotion Detection

Motion detection schedules can be programmed to only be active only during certain times of day to avoid capturing unneeded footage and conserve power.

Motion detection can be used independently and simultaneously with time lapse schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions

If multiple schedules have been set and there is a conflict between them, priority is given to the lower numbered schedule. For example, schedule 1 has priority over schedule 2.

How does BlinkX attach to the GoPro HERO5?

Unlike the HERO4 cameras, the HERO5 camera does not use a 30 pin connector on the back. In stead, it uses a USB-C connection on the side of the camera. BlinkX is approximately the same height and width as the HERO5, and is designed to accommodate straps to attach to the camera or to our enclosures.

What housings does CamDo offer that have space for BlinkX and external battery packs?

BlinkX is typically used with our Outdoor Enclosures to also house extra batteries and come with two power options, a 9Watt solar panel, or without a solar panel that is normally used for shorter deployments, when you can return regularly to recharge the batteries. The Outdoor Enclosures have space to fit up to two of our V44 (44watt-hour) battery packs.

How long will the battery last if I shoot some number of photos per hour?

Calculating battery life is non-trivial. It depends on the camera model, firmware version, SD card speed, lighting conditions, battery size, age of the battery, ambient temperature, and more. To help you understand the issues and to calculate estimated battery life, consult the Camera Power Consumption Study and our Time Lapse Calculator.

If I know approximately how long my project is, how do I determine the ideal interval between triggers?

The ideal shooting interval is normally determined by the length of the final time lapse video clip, capacity of the SD card or battery capacity available. Our Time Lapse Calculator can be used to help determine the ideal interval between photos as determined by these variables.

Why is "Always On" mode for batteries important?

Since BlinkX turns the camera off between triggers to conserve power, Always On mode is important to prevent the battery from automatically turning off due to periods of inactivity. Most of the USB battery packs on the market have an automatic power saving feature which turns off the battery if the battery is not constantly supplying power to a device. If the GoPro is turned off for more than a few minutes between triggers, the external battery might automatically shutdown due to inactivity. However, our V15 and V44 have two modes of operation, the standard Auto Off mode and an Always On mode. The Always On mode prevents the battery from automatically turning off when insufficient current is being drawn due to the camera being turned off by BlinkX to conserve power.

Does BlinkX retain the shooting schedule when power is removed or lost?

When all power is removed, BlinkX will retain the programmed shooting schedule as well as the clock time and date settings. When power is restored to BlinkX, it will resume the programmed shooting schedules.

Can I switch the SD card in the middle of a time lapse schedule?

Yes, the SD card is "hot swappable". If an interval occurs when the SD card is out of the GoPro, BlinkX will continue the shooting schedule by triggering the camera to turn on and off, however, no image will be taken since there is no SD card to save the image to.

How do I change BlinkX's shooting schedule in the middle of a project?

BlinkX's WiFi signal can be turned on or off by pressing the on-board WiFi button for 3seconds. BlinkX's WiFi only remains active for 15 minutes to program the new settings before the WiFi is automatically turned off to conserve power. If the camera is not easily accessible, we offer a Wired Remote that can be attached to BlinkX's 2.5mm Port1 for re-triggering the WiFi signal, as well as 2.5mm Extension Cables if a longer distance trigger is needed.

What can I connect to the circular jacks on my BlinkX?

Please connect only CamDo-approved accessories to these jacks unless you are experienced. Do not connect other equipment, especially voltage sources such as your solar panel or battery, to these jacks. Doing so could damage your BlinkX or camera.

BlinkX's Port1 is used as an alternate trigger to activate the Blink's WiFi signal via a wired remote (purchased separately). BlinkX's Port2 is used for Motion Detection operation and information about this port is located in our Blink User Manual. Please read our series of blog posts to understand how to connect custom hardware or interface a microcontroller such as an Arduino or Raspberry Pi.

Does BlinkX work with your Battery Eliminators?

BlinkX does not require a Battery Eliminator and it is not compatible with our Battery Eliminators which are for earlier generation cameras.

What does BlinkX weigh?

BlinkX weighs 19g. This compares to a GoPro HERO5 Black camera at 117g or the GoPro HERO5 Session at 74g.

is CamDo’s new purpose built time lapse cameraLow power, upload enabled - unlock the full potential of time lapse with ShootX and CloudX

ShootX is a purpose-built WiFi enabled time lapse camera with the option for automatic upload of images via the CamDo cloudX platform. ShootX has multiple mounting connections and features a 120° wide angle lens to capture 2.6K resolution images. ShootX can be programmed for a single interval that repeats continuously. For increased programming flexibility without image upload features, see our BlinkX for the GoPro HERO5 cameras.

cameraHow does it compare to other cameras?

As can be seen from the graphics below, ShootX provides high quality 2.6K images and associated time lapse videos. It is significantly better than typical 1080 resolution and blows lower quality 720 cameras out of the water. If you need 4K footage, use our GoPro and BlinkX product offering.

buildQuick & Easy Set-Up

Get ShootX up and running in less than 2 minutes. Read the quick start guide here.

date_rangeLong term time lapse

The ultra-low power consumption allows for a battery life of over 3 months with typical default settings of 1 frame per 10 minutes (without CloudX). Couple ShootX with a Solar Panel Kit or connect to mains power via USB to run it indefinitely with CloudX features. Also, check out our Time Lapse Solutions page for more information on all the parts you need for those longer term projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I know approximately how long my project is, how do I determine the ideal interval between triggers?

The ideal shooting interval is normally determined by the length of the final time lapse video clip, capacity of the SD card or battery capacity available. Our Time Lapse Calculator can be used to help determine the ideal interval between photos as determined by these variables (power calculations for ShootX coming soon).

Can ShootX be programmed to only capture images between set times on specific days?

No, ShootX can only be programmed for a single interval between images that repeats continuously every day. For greater programming flexibility, see our GoPro controllers; BlinkX for HERO5 Black and HERO5 Session, or Blink for HERO3+ and HERO4.

How do I change the interval between ShootX's image triggers?

The default interval between images is 10minutes. To adjust the interval, ShootX can be connected to a PC or MAC via USB to edit the settings.ini file using a standard text editor (eg. NotePad). In the future, a mobile app will be available. See the ShootX Quick Start Guide for additional instructions.

Does ShootX have automatic image uploading via WiFi?

Yes, ShootX can connect to a WiFi signal to automatically upload each image to our cloud platform cloudX. See our CloudX page and ShootX Quick Start Guide for additional information.

What if I don't have a cloudX Pro subscription?

The photos will be stored on the camera, which you can download locally to a computer. You won't have access to the online cloud platform including features such as automatic upload, remote status monitoring, email notifications, remote firmware updating, etc.

Why is "Always On" mode for batteries important?

Since the camera turns off between triggers to conserve power, Always On mode is important to prevent an external battery pack from automatically turning off due to periods of inactivity. Most of the USB battery packs on the market have an automatic power saving feature which turns off the battery if the battery is not constantly supplying power to a device. If the camera is turned off for more than a few minutes between triggers, the external battery might automatically shutdown due to inactivity. However, our V15 and V44 have two modes of operation, the standard Auto Off mode and an Always On mode. The Always On mode prevents the battery from automatically turning off when insufficient current is being drawn due to the camera being turned off to conserve power.

How can I mount ShootX?

ShootX has three options for mounting, a standard threaded tripod insert (1/4"-20) on the bottom of the camera, a vertical slot (24mm x 4.8mm) at the back of the camera, and a set of three magnets from the back of the camera around to the side opposite of the USB port.

What are the dimensions of ShootX?

ShootX is 75mm wide between each flat square surface and is 80mm wide between each of the flat triangular surfaces.

What does ShootX weigh?

ShootX weighs 300g. This compares to a GoPro HERO5 Black camera at 117g or the GoPro HERO5 Session at 74g.